In a significant move for local housing, a former South London police station is set to be transformed into dozens of new homes after plans were given the green light by councillors.
Unanimous Approval for 100% Affordable Homes
Lewisham councillors chose to unanimously grant planning permission during a planning meeting on Tuesday evening, November 25. The decision paves the way for the resident-led housing association, Phoenix Community Housing, to partially demolish the old Catford Police Station on Bromley Road to make way for 63 new homes.
The development will offer 100 per cent affordable housing, split into 29 social rent flats and 34 intermediate rent flats. The accommodation mix will consist of 26 one-bedroom properties, 29 two-bedroom properties, and eight three-bedroom properties. Notably, all of the three-bedroom flats will fall under the social rent tenure.
Preserving History and Building Anew
Catford Police Station closed at the end of 2017. Since its closure, the building has been occupied by Live In Guardians, who live in disused buildings at a lower rate in exchange for providing security.
Phoenix Community Housing, a not-for-profit organisation, purchased the site in February 2022. Their approved plans involve retaining and converting the locally listed main police station building. All other ancillary buildings on the site will be demolished and replaced with two new blocks between four and six storeys tall.
Steve Connor, Development Manager at Phoenix, expressed excitement about the proposals, stating: "We are very excited about the proposals for Catford Police Station and we have worked hard over the last couple of years to provide a design that retains part of the locally listed police station building... whilst responding to the local context and providing 63 affordable homes." He also emphasised the association's commitment to working collaboratively with the local community.
Addressing Local Concerns
Despite the overall support, the plans were not without opposition. During the public consultation, the project received 10 formal objections and a petition with 37 signatures.
Some local residents present at the meeting raised concerns, primarily about the proposed height of the six-storey block. They argued it would invade their privacy and was "completely out of scale" with the surrounding area, requesting that no building be taller than four storeys.
In response, a planning officer referred to other buildings in the vicinity, such as the five-storey Passfields Estate. The officer concluded that "this scheme wasn't out of scale with the immediate area."
When it came to the final vote, the Chair of the Planning Committee, Cllr Jack Lavery, called the scheme "fantastic", highlighting its 100 per cent affordable housing provision, before the plans were unanimously approved.
